Preview | Doncaster Rugby League vs North Wales Crusaders

The Dons’ push for a high-end finish continues with a game against North Wales Crusaders at the Club Doncaster Sports Village.

On Sunday, the two teams will meet at 3pm for their first match against each other for just under three years, as North Wales had to forfeit this season’s reverse fixture, handing Dons an automatic 48-0 win.

The last meeting on the pitch saw Dons come out on top with an 18-6 victory, and they have previously secured heavy wins over the Crusaders, including a 68-0 away triumph in 2021.

This time around presents a fantastic opportunity for Connor Robinson. After being named Rugby League World’s Championship Player of the Month for July, he now sits just 26 points away from reaching 2,000 in his career, as well as being only seven away from 1,000 for the Dons.

North Wales have had a difficult campaign and currently reside in 20th place. Last time out, they suffered a 68-8 defeat against Goole Vikings, but they will be hoping to secure a fourth win of the campaign when they travel to DN4.

Meanwhile, Dons achieved an emphatic 46-18 win over high-flying Oldham at the Club Doncaster Sports Village. The fantastic result means Richard Horne’s side has now won six of their last seven games and are picking up real momentum at the perfect time.

Speaking about the Oldham win, Horne said: “It was our most complete performance of the season.

“We spoke about our starts, and I thought it went really well. There are still areas we need to work on moving forward, but overall, I was very happy.”
On North Wales and the upcoming game against them, he added: “They are one of those teams that are at a different stage with what they are doing. We are aiming near the top, whereas they are trying to rebuild.

“After everything that has gone on at the club, they have brought some local and rugby union lads in. It will take some time to adapt and get used to it, so you can see that in some of the results, but I am sure they are going to try.

“That first 20 minutes is going to be huge for us because we know they are going to put pressure on. If we do the right things, hopefully we will get a good result on the back of it.”

It was recently announced that Harvey Horne’s loan has been extended until the end of the season.

Horne is pleased with the extension, and said: “Every time he has played for the club, he puts in a real big shift. He has been really solid, carries hard and can play numerous positions, so it gives us cover going into the back end of the season.

“Harvey is fit and young, so he has got plenty of energy in what he does, and we are going to need that. We have got some old boys in the group that need to feed off that.

“He’s a quality player, and hopefully he will get his Super League opportunity at some point. But, until then, we’re happy to have him and he can help us achieve what we want to achieve.”

Brad Knowles featured in the side that sealed the impressive victory over Oldham.

Speaking about why the squad has been able to keep recent form positive, he said: “We have got a lot of strength in depth, because lots of players are willing to play in different positions.

“It also is about having that team ethos and being willing to work hard for each other. I think we have got that in our team - there are a lot of leaders.”
On the supporters continuing to back the team, he added: “The fans are outstanding for us. I know a lot of them and the sponsors, and the more people we can get in each week the better.

“It really does drive us on when we come out for a game.”